CTC allocates nearly $12 million for rail-related projects

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has made new allocations totaling $152 million to 36 projects statewide. This latest round of funding drives the total amount of transportation funding allocated in 2013 beyond the $3 billion barrier.

"The billions in funding we've invested in transportation has kept workers on the job building better roads, bridges, rail, and transit that will benefit California for decades to come," said California Department of Transporation (Caltrans) Director Malcolm Dougherty.

The CTC allocated $6.6 million to the $44.6-million for the Northern California Maintenance Facilities, which will serve the pooled intercity railcar fleet for the San Joaquin and Capitol Corridor routes. It will also provide for the design, environmental and permits needed for construction of the new facilities.

A total of $4 million was allocated to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) for the $35.5-million Van Nuys North Platform Project, which will complete final design of a north platform at the Van Nuys Amtrak station. Once constructed, it will add a north platform to accommodate simultaneous bi-directional passenger rail service at the Van Nuys Amtrak station. A pedestrian underpass will also be constructed to provide for safe passage to the north mainline track.

The CTC also allocated $1.33 million to LACMTA for the Branford Street Grade Crossing Improvement project at the Valley Subdivision. The improvements will implement SCRRA's highway-rail grade crossing safety standards, which include installation of pedestrian crossing gates; new warning gates and replacement of warning devices, which includes supporting signal and communications work.